HE taught pop star Joe McElderry before his rise to fame, and now drama guru Steve Halliday is going it alone.

Steve recently took voluntary redundancy from his job as a drama teacher at Newcastle College to launch his own drama company.

The 38-year-old has now received the backing of his former student, who found fame when he won TV singing talent show The X Factor.

Steve has kept in contact with the 20-year-old singer and Joe has credited his former drama teacher with helping start his career.

Joe, from South Shields said: “Steve was an amazing teacher and really helped with my confidence and attitude towards performing arts. I would not have been able to achieve and experience what I have so far in my career without Steve's help and teaching.”

Steve, a dad-of-one from Low Fell, Gateshead, said: “It’s great to get he backing of Joe, who is such a talent.

“I was so proud when he won the X Factor and we were texting each other even on the night of the final.”

Before Steve’s eight-year stint at Newcastle College, he briefly found fame himself as part of boyband Cryin Out Loud, who got to the final of Jonathan Ross Big Big Talent Show in 1997.

He said: “I have always though about starting my own business and finally plucked up the courage to take redundancy to do it.

“The business is all about drama and we aim to help children and young people with their confidence.

“I’m going to be hosting drama parties where children can do drama games and then put a show on at the end of the day for a birthday or any other celebration.

“It doesn’t matter if you’ve never acted before or need professional training. Drama is great fun and something I am really passionate about.”